The Foreign Secretary hosted His Excellency Ayman Safadi, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in London today.
The Ministers affirmed their commitment to maintaining the strong
strategic partnership between the UK and Jordan, based on the
rich and positive shared history between our two countries and
peoples. The Foreign Secretary highlighted the UK’s decision this
month to include Jordan as an early participant in
our Electronic Travel
Authorisation scheme as a reflection of our close ties.
The scheme will bring many benefits in facilitating business and
tourism travel for Jordanian visitors to the UK.
The Foreign Secretary praised Jordan’s role, under the leadership
of His Majesty King Abdullah II, as a force for stability in the
Middle East and a generous host of refugees. The UK is continuing
to provide humanitarian and development assistance to Jordan. The
Foreign Secretary expressed his grave concern about the recent
increase in violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories and affirmed the UK’s active support for steps to
de-escalate tensions, including the recent meetings of the
parties hosted by Jordan in Aqaba and Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The UK remains committed to a two-state solution to the conflict.
The Ministers discussed the situation in Syria following the
tragic earthquake of 6 February. The Foreign Secretary underlined
the importance of unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid
reaches populations in need in Syria, including through continued
cross-border access to northern Syria. He affirmed the UK’s
support for a political settlement in Syria in line with Security
Council Resolution 2254.
The Foreign Secretary emphasised the UK’s commitment to the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and underlined
the need for Russia to immediately, completely and
unconditionally withdraw all its forces from Ukraine, as set out
in UN General Assembly resolutions that have received
overwhelming international support.
